AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS

Autoimmune Hepatitis is a chronic disease where the immune system attacks the liver and causes inflammation for a unusually unknown reason.

ABOUT DISEASE

Environmental and genetic factor could contribute to the onset of the disease but the exact cause is unclear. The attack on the liver, if left untreated, can cause scarring to the liver. This makes it unable to work properly. Medications such as steroids and immunosuppressive medications can help resolve this issue and in some cases a liver transplant may be necessary.

SYMPTOMS

+ Abdominal Discomfort
+ Nausea

+ Jaundice(yellowing of skin or eyes)
+ Fatigue

+ Fluid build up in abdomen

YOUR POINT OF CONTACT

MAZZY

ABOUT | Hi, I’m Mazzy and I had a liver transplant in 2003 and then was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis in 2004. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and IBS-C overlap in 2019 and am currently getting an aplastic anemia work up. I love Jesus and supporting others in their journey to health through self advocation and awareness.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES | Mom to a Celiac Disease daughter

SPECIALISTS

+ Primary Care Provider
+ Gastroenterologist
+ Hepatologist
+ Transplant Surgeon

BLOOD TESTS

+ AST-every 1-3 months
+ ALT-every 1-3 months
+ GGT-every 1-3 months
+ T. Bilirubin- every 1-3 months

MEDICATIONS

+ Steroids
+ Immunosuppressive Medications
+ Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc Supplement

METHODS OF HEALING

I had a liver transplant but had a really hard time getting my liver function tests to come down into a normal range. They stayed in the 150-300 range for a good 10-15 years and fibrosis was beginning to reform on my new liver before I was introduced to a medication called ursodiol/ actigall. It is typically used to treat gallstones but it managed to bring me down to normal range for the first time in my life. As of right now the mechanism by which it acts in this disease is unclear but my doctor, who was the head of liver transplant at John’s Hopkins, said they’ve had tremendous success with this treatment.

AUTOIMMUNE RESOURCES

Here are some great websites, authors, podcasts and other resources to help you navigate your Autoimmune Disease.

Autoimmune Hepatitis – NIH

Autoimmune Hepatitis – American Liver Foundation

Autoimmune Hepatitis – Mayo Clinic

ALL RESOURCES

AUTOIMMUNE STORIES

These are the women that have shared their autoimmune journey with us. Please take a moment to read some of their brave, honest and revealing stories about their diagnosis, successes, hardships and their lives.